Managing Library Resources
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At any given time in our house we can have at least 100 library resources in our possession. Since our kids are voracious readers, the older ones can easily go through 7 books a week as well as flip through numerous other books for their schoolwork. One hundred books can be quite the load to manage, as you can imagine, and I’ve paid my fair share in library late fees and replacement costs.
We’re working to reduce this however. The library is offered as a “free service” and I, for one would like to keep it that way.
Here are some ways that we keep track of our library stuff — and hopefully avoid fines.
One library card
We maintain one library account for the entire family. In this way, I can better track our checkouts online, and it simplifies things immensely. My kids don’t experience that rite of passage in getting their own library cards, but everybody seems to be okay with that.
Our library offers both a keychain card and a wallet card for each account, so FishPapa and I each have one. He can pick up our holds on the way home from work without my needing to remember to give him the card.
One storage location
We have a large bookcase on the schoolroom wall that houses the library books. If a book isn’t actively being read, it should be shelved here. This doesn’t always happen, but we’re working on it. I know some families use bins or baskets, but we needed something out of FishChick2’s reach, so a high shelf works for us.
Likewise, we keep a bin on a shelf above the TV for library DVDs. Unfortunately, our DVD checkouts have not been free due to lost or broken disks, so we are considering eliminating the whole DVD checkout thing in exchange for Netflix streaming.
A notebook to track returns
This summer our library system converted to a new checkout system which had quite a few bugs in it. While I’m sure we didn’t handle checkouts perfectly, there were several occasions when I was sure we had returned a resource, but they could not find it. And while most of the librarians are quite polite and understanding, I’ve encountered more than one Library Ninja.
So, to keep track of what I was returning, I started a library notebook. I list the library resources returned and write down the date we returned it and which location we took it to. While it’s still my word against the library’s, this is much better than a recollection of putting it in the library bag. It takes some time to get things ready for the library trip, but we haven’t had a resource go AWOL since we started this method.
What do you do to keep library fines at bay?
Check out Works for Me Wednesday for more ideas to improving your life.
I’ve been trying to make a better effort of using our library. I have a designated basket for the kids’ library books. I love your idea of having a notebook to keep track of what’s checked out and what has been turned back in. I’m going to start doing that as well!
Great ideas. We have a tote bag designated for library books, and our library gives us a “receipt” of books checked out to us with due dates. My only problem is not getting there more often! There aren’t enough hours in the day!
These are great ideas! My hubby says we could pay for a new wing of the library with the fines we’ve paid. 🙁
my library works in conjunction with Library Elf, an online service that sends emails to remind of materials due or holds that are ready. for the past couple of years, they have offered MaiLit, where I can place materials on hold online and they are mailed to me for FREE!
This summer my kids fell in love with the library. I usually let them pick out about 8-10 books each. Library books live on our “launching pad” (thanks FlyLady) book shelf whenever they are not being read. Our library also gives us a printout of the books we are taking out. We also get an email reminder of upcoming due dates.
The best part…4 renewals per book. We are on renewal number 2 for a Dora book my daughter says is “hiding” from her.
Since we’re in 2 overlapping library districts, we have a separate colored tote for each location. Thankfully, one library is right by day care!
Our library is pretty sophisticated and I get an email 3 days before our books are due. We have a rule that you can only check out books to match your age (5 yo can get 5 books), which helps the chaos a little.
FishMama, have you thought of taking a digital pic of the stack of books before returning? Might be easier than writing them all down.
@BrownThumbMama, I’m liking that digital picture thing. Can you just see me in the library taking photographic proof of returning books?! LOL!
I’m also thinking that saving the receipts and stapling them in the notebook could work also.
I don’t know if the library we go to has ‘library elf,’ but my husband and I go to the library often. We each have our own card (account). The library system sends a notice when books are coming due in 3 days and it’s possible to renew on-line (one renew per book). Yes, we have a library shelf at home and line up books by order due or read and ready to return. I use renew if I can’t make it to the library or just want the book for 3 more weeks. (also saves me the fines)
To help control library fines, see if your library is in the system at libraryelf.com. If so, sign up and you’ll email reminders about books due. They have a free side and a paid side w/additional features and ability to have more than 1 account linked to a card.
Awesome job on this post. I work at a library as well. One thing we offer is a print out of all materials checked out on your card.
The idea about keeping everything in a central location is great too.
Keep using the library – I like job security 🙂
Joy at Books and Life